FAQ For The Outdoor News Deer & Turkey Classic’s Antler Scoring

NOTE – ALL INFORMATION IS FROM 2019. STAY TUNED FOR 2020 DETAILS!

• Who does the scoring? Scoring is conducted by the Minnesota Official Measurers, who are certified to score antlers for Pope & Young and Boone & Crockett.

• What does it cost? The actual scoring is FREE.

• Can I get into the record book? “Big Game Records of Minnesota” For typical scores, the minimum threshold is 125 for an archery kill, 135 for a muzzleloader kill, and 140 for a gun kill. For nontypicals, the minimum requirements are 155 for archery, 160 for muzzleloader entries, and 165 for gun kills. A fee, which is handled exclusively through the Minnesota Official Measurers, applies.

• How long does it take? The process for dropping off antlers to be scored and then picking them up has been streamlined over the years, though depending on the number of people waiting, it can take up to 90 minutes. For this reason, scoring starts at 10 a.m. Friday and an hour before the main gates open on Saturday and Sunday of the Deer & Turkey Classic.

• Where do I bring my antlers? Those bringing trophies for scoring should enter the Coliseum from the northwest side. Do NOT bring your antlers to the main ticket gates!

• What does the process involve? The first thing hunters will do is fill out paperwork (three copies of the paperwork will be produced – one of which you will keep), at which point they will wait their turn to have their antlers scored.

The measurers will be measuring as fast as possible, while taking extreme care to ensure accuracy. If there is a question about how something is scored, several scorers will collectively make the judgment call.

After each trophy is scored, they’ll pencil in a score on the back of the trophy mount, and then the scoresheet is entered into a database. The trophy then goes to the floor of the show, where it is displayed.

• Why should I leave my antlers on display all three days of the event? If you bring your antlers in for scoring on Friday, and leave them on display until the awards ceremony is concluded on Sunday, you’ll receive a wristband good for re-entry to visit the shows each day without paying additional admission.

• How do I pick my antlers up? There will be a designated trophy pickup spot at the event. Participants will need their original sign-in paperwork to retrieve their antlers. That’s a security measure to ensure the right folks receive their antlers. With the crowd of people, somebody could get hurt or the chances of a trophy being dropped and broken increase – for this reason once antlers have been picked up, they must leave the show immediately.

• If I leave my antlers on display, what assurances do I have that they’ll be safe? The venue will be tended to 24 hours a day by the Minnesota State Fair Police during the Outdoor News Minnesota Deer & Turkey Classic. According to the Minnesota Official Measurers, in all of the years since MOM began scoring antlers at sports shows, no set of antlers has ever gone missing.

• Can I win something? On Sunday, March 10 from 3 to 5 p.m., Outdoor News will award 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place ribbons in every category. The awards ceremony will be on Seminar Stage B, with company President Rob Drieslein hosting. Final results will appear in Outdoor News.

To buy tickets for your firearm safety class at the Outdoor News Deer & Turkey Classic, we have to redirect you to Eventbrite for your payment to be processed. Once the transaction is complete, please return to the Deer & Turkey Classic site to print off your permission slip.

To pay for your booth and electrical at the Outdoor News Deer & Turkey Classic, we have to redirect you to a secure site for your payment to be processed. Once the transaction is complete, you will be redirected back to the Deer & Turkey Classic site.

Advanced ticket sales for the 2019 Outdoor News Deer & Turkey Classic are now closed. Please visit the ticket booth at the Warner Coliseum on the Minnesota State Fairgrounds to buy your tickets. However, we are still offering $2 off coupons. Get yours now.